Sharjah Calls on Entrepreneurs to Participate in Flagship Sheraa Accelerator Program

Sharjah Calls on Entrepreneurs to Participate in Flagship Sheraa Accelerator Program

13 August 2017 -

Sharjah Calls on Entrepreneurs to Participate in Flagship Sheraa Accelerator Program Sharjah Calls on Entrepreneurs to Participate in Flagship Sheraa Accelerator Program

Sharjah has taken its flagship Sheraa Accelerator program to the international phase by welcoming entrepreneurs from within the UAE, and across the globe, to get its 2nd cycle. The invitation goes out to innovative, early-stage ventures that wish to utilize Sharjah as a launch pad to expand and scale their effect.

The second Sheraa Accelerator cycle follows an effective inaugural accomplice that observed the launch of ten innovative start-ups across industries such as the sharing economic climate, sustainable innovation, art and design, Arabic content, education, community growth, in addition to Industry 4.0 innovations such as expert system, blockchain, IoT, increased reality, and digital fact, among others. Sheraa - Sharjah's official entrepreneurship center - is based at the American University of Sharjah and runs the Emirate's flagship accelerator program, concentrating on scaling innovative, high-growth ventures that own economic diversification and job creation. The program's inaugural success attracted support from Air Arabia, Bee'ah and Crescent Enterprises that will partner with Sheraa for the second edition too.

The Sheraa Accelerator program ends with a Demo Day, where startups pitch to skilled investors, partners, and key clients. The first edition of the Demo Day was gone to by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

" The second cycle of our Accelerator begins the heels of the definite success that we and our start-ups have delighted in over the past months," claimed Ms. Najla Al-Midfa, General Manager at Sheraa. She included: "Sheraa has actually encouraged over 10 startups that are successfully servicing clients. Most notably, our startup 'Juxtapiece' has actually added to its customer list entities such as Smart Dubai, Bee'ah, and Sharjah Investment and Growth Authority (Shurooq), whereas 'Tayar' works with government clients such as the Sharjah Police and the UAE's Ministry of Health. We also experienced the turning point seed financing of our start-up Yalla Pickup that increased AED 1 million, showing Sheraa's credibility as the excellent launch pad for innovative early-stage endeavors. Our 2nd version aims to bring in introducing startups from throughout the world, and while doing so, strengthen Sharjah's credibility as a prospering hub for entrepreneurship. This is in line with UAE's Vision 2021, which develops entrepreneurship as a vital enabler of the UAE's shift to a knowledge-based economy."

" We expect building a competitive second associate, showcasing innovative endeavors that are servicing addressing pressing challenges across all sectors. Sheraa is devoted to sustaining teams that have the drive and ambition to scale their turbulent business models, and develop them right into success stories with global socio-economic effect," said Al-Midfa.

The due date for applications is August 31 st, with the 3-month program introducing in October this year. The chosen startups will be supported with equity-free seed funding of as much as USD 10,000, a cost-free Sharjah-based trade license, rent-free office space at Sheraa, expert mentorship, lawful assistance, and accessibility to contracts in both the personal and government industries.